Geranium plant named ‘Jewel’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct early flowering regal geranium plant with white petals having a blotch of red-purple in the center and red-purple veining above medium green foliage.

CLASSIFICATION

Pelargonium×domesticum (regal geranium).

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Jewel’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×domesticum known by the varietal name ‘Jewel’. The newvariety was discovered in a selected breeding program in Lompoc, Calif.The new variety is a selection from the cross of unpatented proprietarybreed variety Seedling Purple Bicolor #607, the female parent and ‘Lois’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,000), the male parent. The new variety is morecompact than ‘Lois’. The new variety was first asexually reproduced bycuttings in Connellsville, Pa. The new variety has been trial and fieldtested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics andremain true to type through successive propagations.

The cultivar, when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa.using natural light and temperatures of 60° F. night and 68° F. day, hasa response time of 13 weeks from a rooted cutting to flowering in a 6inch pot. The response time was determined on plants grown in soillessmedia employing constant fertilizer 150-200 parts per million ofnitrogen and potassium in full light.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar at 10 weeks grown from a rotted cutting. The data whichdefines these characteristics were collected by asexual reproductionscarried out by Oglevee, Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. The color readingswere taken on a plant under 200-220 foot candles of fluorescent coolwhite light. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chartof The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

Form: Medium mound.

Height: 19-21 cm from soil to top of foliage.

Growth: Upright, free basal branching.

Strength: Does not require artificial support.

Foliage: Stalked leaf attachment; medium green foliage.

Rooting time: Roots visible to outside of artificial dirt plug in 14-21days.

Leaves:

Size.—Length: 5-8.5 cm. Width: 9-11 cm.

Shape.—Reniform; truncate base.

Margin.—Serrated; lobed.

Texture.—Leathery; pubescent.

Color.—Upper surface: Green Group 137A. Lower surface: Green Group 138A.

Ribs and veins.—Venation: Palmate. Color: Green Group 138C fading toGreen Group 138A.

Petioles:

Color.—Yellow-Green Group 144A.

Length.—7.5-9.1 cm.

Stem:

Color.—Yellow-Green Group 144A.

Internode length.—1.2-2.8 cm.

THE BUD

Shape:

Overall.—Elliptical to round cluster.

Individual bud.—Elliptical.

Size:

Overall.—4-6.5 cm across.

Individual bud.—2.4-2.9 cm long; 0.9-1.2 cm wide.

Number of buds per cluster: 7-10.

INFLORESCENCE

Blooming habit: Continuous; large florets forming full flower heads.

Size.—11-14 cm.

Borne.—Flowers on umbel; umbel on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle.

Flowers:

Form.—Opened to slightly cupped; petals overlap; slightly ruffled.

Number of flowers per umbel.—7-10.

Size.—Diameter: 6-7.5 cm. Depth: 3-4.5 cm.

Petals.—Color: Upper surface: Lower Petals: White Group 155C. A blotchof Red-Purple Group 61B is present in the center of the lower petal witha diameter of 1.4-1.6 cm fading at the edge of the blotch to Red-PurpleGroup 61C. The veining in the blotch is darker Red-Purple Group 61A.There is a distinct veining on the upper surface of the lower petal ofRed-Purple Group 61B fading into white at the edge of the petal. UpperPetals: Base and outer edge are White Group 155D. The majority of theupper petal is Red-Purple Group 59A changing into Red-Purple Group 61Aand fading into Red-Purple Group 61C then into white at the edge.Towards the center and base of the petal the color changed to Red-PurpleGroup 64B and then into White Group 155D at the base of the petal. Theveins start white at the base and then change into Red-Purple Group 61Aand Greyed-Purple Group 187B in the center of the petal. Lower surface:Lower Petals: The petals are White Group 155D. In the center where theblotch is on the upper surface, there is some Red-Purple Group 57Cshining through. The veins are shining through in Purple Group 76C.Upper Petals: Base and outer edge are White Group 155D. There is a bigeye in the center of Red-Purple Group 59A fading into Red-Purple Group61A and Red-Purple Group 61B. The veins start White Group 155D at thebase and change into Red-Purple Group 59B. Shape: Obovate. Size: Length:4.6-5.2 cm. Width: 3.2-4.8 cm. Margin: Entire. Number per floret: 5.

Texture and appearance: Smooth, satiny, velvety.

Tonality from a distance: Deep purple shiny upper petals in contrast tothe much brighter with more white, lower petals, above medium greenfoliage.

Petaloids: None observed.

Pedicel:

Length.—2-2.3 cm.

Color.—Yellow-Green Group 144A.

Peduncle:

Length.—7-8.5 cm.

Color.—Yellow-Green Group 144A.

Disease/pest resistance: No unusual susceptibility to diseases or pestshas been noted to date.

Lasting quality: Individual umbels will last in the home environment for4-6 weeks. Overall flowering will continue as long as conditions remaincool at night with plenty of light provided.

Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Quantity.—7.

Anthers.—3-4 mm.

Filaments.—Length: 1.6-2 cm. Color: White. Pollen: Golden orange.

Pistils:

Number.—One.

Length.—1.6-2 cm.

Stigma.—Number: One; five or six parted. Color: Greyed-Purple Group187B.

Style.—Length: 15-18 mm. Color: Greyed-Purple Group 187C.

Ovaries:

Completeness.—Superior.

Pubescence.—Greatly pubescent.

Length.—5-7 mm.

Width.—3 mm.

Color.—Yellow-Green Group 147C.

Fruit: None observed.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

1. ‘Jewel’ has unique coloring.

2. Controlled plant type.

3. Very free flowering.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of geranium plant substantiallyas shown and described.